Shuttlecraft

Shuttlecraft and shuttles refer to small space flight-capable vessels. Shuttlecraft are used to ferry people or objects from larger host spacecraft, and are capable of landing on, or leaving the surfaces of high-gravity objects like planets.

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In the Planetary Union, shuttles are stowed aboard larger spaceships inside the Shuttle Bay. Typically, shuttles are piloted by a helmsman or a navigator, but rarely another officer may pilot one.[n 1] They are designated by the host ship's registry serial followed by an individualizing number.

A shuttle seats six passengers, including two seats for pilots with navigational controls. Shuttles may cloak to hide from enemies.[n 2] Shuttles come equipped with lockers storing weapons, equipment belts, medical equipment, and comscanners for landing parties.[1]Food Synthesizers create food and drink.[n 3][n 4] The viewscreen can magnify objects or filter light to reduce brightness.[1] The back of the shuttle is a ramp leading up to the hatchway.

Union shuttle systems are power through high-energy dysonium.[n 5] Versatile extending airlocks allow Union shuttles to latch on to many different kinds of docks encountered in space.[2]

For exterior shots, Union shuttles are laser-cut foam by Ghostlight Industries,[n 6] coated in fiberglass, and sanded to create the final form. The actual shuttles are roughly 75 percent the size as depicted on film.[1]

The interior of the shuttles is merely an open set: six seats, two portions of shuttle walls, and part of the ceiling are all that physically exist.[2] It is constructed on gimbals to let the production crew simulate a "rough ride" while shooting."[13]

The Union shuttle has an extendable chamber used to connect the shuttle to a docking door, seen in If the Stars Should Appear. The chamber was created during production for that episode when the crew realized there was no easy way to dock the shuttle against the Dorahl bioship.[14]

↑Helmsman Gordon Malloy and Navigator John LaMarr have piloted most shuttlecraft flights flown thus far. Exceptions include: Majority Rule, wherein Lieutenant Alara Kitan flies the shuttle from a planet to the Orville. Into the Fold where Isaac files the shuttle and crashes on the biohazardous wasteland of a moon.

↑Grayson drinking a glass of water presumably obtained from the synthesizer. Episode 1x12: Mad Idolatry

↑In early 2420 a small group from the Orville crashes on an unnamed moon. Isaac restores partial power to the shuttle by mining local dysonium and sends a weak distress signal to the Orville. Episode 1x08: Into the Fold

↑Note that the authors incorrectly call the company 'Ghost Light.' See Lineweaver, Stephen & Robert Strohmaier. "The Orville: A Chance to Design the Future". ADG Perspective. July-Aug. 2018. Pg. 98.